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5 water-saving fixtures that make the 'hot list'

A list of five water-saving plumbing fixtures that really work and can be installed easily in any home:

1. Install a "PRV" (pressure-reducing valve) on your main water line. A home will work fine with water pressure in the range of 35psi. However, many homes are unknowingly using water pressure well over 70psi. Have your plumber check your water pressure and, if needed, have a PRV installed and save water as well as your pipes.

2. Install performance showerheads. Standard showerheads use about 2.5 gpm (gallons per minute), and performance showerheads use about 1.75 gpm. That's a savings of about 30 percent for all your showering water.

3. Install a "HET" (high-efficiency toilet) with the Environmental Protection Agency "water sense" label. Over 40 percent of us are still using older toilets that flush with about 3.5 gallons per flush. New high-efficiency toilets use less than 1.3 gpf by using flushing systems like "Class 6" technology.

4. Install a re-circulating hot-water system. Just like the hotels, new residential "re-circulating hot-water kits" work with your present hot-water tank to deliver hot water quickly to showers and faucets.

5. Install water-saving faucets. By dropping the gallons used per minute from about 2.2 gpm to about 1.5 gpm, new redesigned faucets are also saving about 30 percent of your faucet water without sacrificing good pressure. Some kitchen faucets also have special built-in filtered-water taps that allow you to make your own bottled water.

If you do even one of these projects, not only will you see your own water and sewer bills go down, but you'll be able to help out the environment without leaving the comfort of your own home.

Master contractor/plumber Ed Del Grande is the author of the book "Ed Del Grande's House Call." For information go to eddelgrande.com or write eddelgrande@hgtvpro.com. Always consult local contractors and codes.